Tanzania lifts ban on agricultural trade with Malawi

The government of Tanzania has announced the lifting of its ban on the export and import of agricultural produce to and from Malawi, effective yesterday.

In a public notice issued by the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), Director General Joseph Ndunguru explained that the decision follows diplomatic engagements initiated by the Malawian government.

The two countries have maintained a strong agricultural trade relationship, guided by regional and international agreements such as the Intra-African Phytosanitary Council (IAPSC) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), both of which emphasize the importance of maintaining the phytosanitary integrity of agricultural consignments.

The TPHPA, which is mandated to regulate plant health matters under the Plant Health Act No. 4 of 2020 and the Plant Health Regulations of 2023 (amended in 2024), highlighted that the initial ban was meant to prevent the introduction and spread of regulated quarantine pests into Tanzania.

The statement also noted that the lifting of the ban paves the way for a diplomatic ministerial meeting between the two nations, scheduled for 2nd May 2025, to address outstanding issues and strengthen trade cooperation further.

This move is expected to enhance agricultural trade between Malawi and Tanzania, benefiting farmers, traders, and consumers in both countries.

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Noel Mkwaila

Noel Mkwaila is an award-winning profesional journalist based in Malawi with over six years of experience in the media industry. His work focuses on in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and storytelling that highlights key social, political, and economic issues, among others. Passionate about transparency and development, he has covered major stories shaping Malawi.

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